Pro Bowl Kenny...Pro Bowl.

Last year at Giants training camp in Albany, about one hundred fans stood against the orange plastic fences lining the path leading to the practice field. Players casually walked through the crowd, carrying their helmets, on their way to their Saturday morning practice. One of these players was Kenny Phillips who walking alongside and chatting with one of his teammates. A fan next to me yelled to Phillips, “Pro Bowl Kenny Pro Bowl” which caused Phillips to smile politely, nod confidently and proceed to the practice field. I’ll always remember that because judging by all reports coming out of camp from Mike Garafolo, last year was going to be a break season for number 21. Garafolo believed it, the fan next to me believed it, I believed it, and judging by his reaction, Kenny Phillips believed it too.

Who wasn’t excited for Phillips potential breakout season last summer? The Giants have never had a ball hawking playmaking safety that could deliver punishing hits. All reports were that coaches were no longer going to restrict his assignments and he was free to react to his playmaking instincts. He was going to be our Ed Reed or Troy Palamalu. We’ve never had a player in the secondary with this much potential. There wasn’t any one player I was more excited to see last year. It wasn’t even close, but we all know what happened to Phillips last year.

Fast forward to today. I didn’t think I could be anymore excited for this season. I just got back from vacation, preseason is over, my fantasy football drafts are over, I got my tickets (and parking pass) for opening day and all I can think about is Giants football. But hearing today that Phillips has been penciled in as the starter on Sunday, my excitement level for Sunday is through the roof. And judging by some fans comments, I’m not the only one who feels this way. Perhaps mrsackhan summed it up the best..“HELL.YES.BRING.ON.THE.PANTHERS!!!”

Hopefully Phillips will be able to return to full strength and never look back on his career threatening injury. He definitely looked close to 100 percent in the final preseason game against the Patriots, showing off his range and delivering a couple of big hits that could really electrify a defense and a crowd. We can all see his potential

If on Sunday Phillips makes a couple big hits, or even better, picks off a Matt Moore pass for touchdown, I’ll think back to what I heard that fan say at training camp last year. And you know what, if he comes running into the end zone where I’ll be sitting, this time it will be me yelling, “Pro Bowl Kenny .Pro Bowl!”